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Residents pitch for a ‘non-commercial’ cantonment
A British era kothi in the Amritsar Cantonment area. Photo: Sameer Sehgal
Bank can debit excess amount paid erroneously: Forum
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Pedestrians suffer as encroachments galore in city
Doctor shows the art of veiled whistle blowing by dwelling on organ trade
Mercury heads north
Students plead for martyr’s cause
Four held with drugs
Students get placements
Thieves target Anganwari centre in village
Bar Council likely to join strike today
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Residents pitch for a ‘non-commercial’ cantonment
Amritsar, March 10 Last year, the state government had got vacated 16 British-era kothis from various departments, including irrigation, judiciary, Punjab police, PWD and B&R, spread over
an area of about 31 acres in the vicinity of the cantonment. The government had taken the initiative under its Optimum Utilisation of Government Land (OUGL) policy. As per the plan, the abandoned and surplus land of the government departments would be utilised for development but with a rider that it could not be sold. The government has got constructed apartments for the officials of the Irrigation Department in kothi no 3 while a five-star hotel, five separate commercial complexes and underground parking lots will be constructed on the land where other kothis are located. Except the kothi where the proposed five-star hotel will come up, plots will be developed on the rest of the land and then hand them over to private concerns for setting up five private commercial complexes. Sumit Singh, a local city resident, said the government must seek opinion from public before making the Cantonment road
commercial. “The government is changing the character of the decades old area while no efforts are being made to popularise the newly developed areas like New Amritsar and others. He said the residential Mall Road was turned into a commercial space earlier. Majority of the shops are closed while there is ample space for parking at the spacious New Amritsar market. Amritsar Vikas Manch (AVM) patron Charanjit Singh Gumtala said, “I am surprised over the fact that while the government is spending crores in preserving many historic structures like Gobindgarh Fort, Rambagh Gardens and others, it is not applying the same yardstick to these century-old residential buildings which these could be converted into heritage lodges for stay of tourists.” Deepak Babbar and Gurbhej Singh of Mission Aagaaz said their efforts failed to move the government as various agencies were awaiting the nod from the Army to demolish the structures. Conservationists feel that the demolition of the residential buildings, which are the model of planning and techniques of the British period, would be lost forever. Babbar said the architecture of these buildings was of great heritage value and the ventilation and material used was unparalleled. The implementation of the government plan would alter the character of the cantonment area and another part of the city would be rendered devoid of green cover, he added. These NGOs are also worried over the environmental cost of the project as scores of trees would be axed. Amritsar Development Authority (ADA) chief administrator Sandeep Rishi said, “Work was stopped after the Army raised objection over raising the structures within 500 m radius of the defence area. At present, the state government is talking to the Army authorities to resolve the matter.” Rishi, however, brushed aside the fear of losing the green cover. “The project will be executed in a planned manner with top priority to environmental concerns,” ADA chief administrator said. The project
Expressing concern I am surprised over the fact that while the government is spending crores in preserving many historic structures like Gobindgarh Fort, Rambagh Gardens and others, it is not applying the same yardstick to these century-old residential buildings which these could be converted into heritage lodges for stay of tourists~ — Charanjit Singh Gumtala, Amritsar Vikas Manch patron The contention
Officialspeak Work was stopped after the Army raised objections over raising the structures within 500 metre radius of the defence area. At present, the state government is talking to the Army authorities to resolve the matter. The project will be executed in a planned manner with top priority to environmental concerns~ — Sandeep Rishi, chief administrator, Amritsar Development Authority
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Bank can debit excess amount paid erroneously: Forum
Amritsar, March 10 He said on November 4, 2011, Amritpal Singh withdrew an amount of Rs 1,70,000 through cheque. The next day, the bank officials said Amritpal had taken an excess amount of Rs 1 lakh, that is Rs 2,70,000 in total. Since the complainant refused to pay the money, stating that Amritpal
was paid only Rs 1,70,000 and no excess amount was paid. The bank told the forum that as the cashier was in a hurry to attend an important meeting, she erroneously paid more mony than required. Another bank employee said more money was paid as she was too was standing in the cabin at the time. The bank produced CCTV footage of the transaction which was played in the forum in the presence of both the parties. The bank officials said it was the bank’s right to take excess amount paid to the customer erroneously by virtue of the Banker's Right of General Lien. The forum observed that it was proved that erroneous payment of excess cash was paid to Amritpal Singh. The forum said the video recording was checked a number of times which clearly shows that four packets of Rs 500 currency notes (Rs 2,00,000) and seven packets of Rs 100 currency notes
(Rs 70,000) were handed over to the customer by teller Ranjana. The forum has dismissed the complaint saying that it is the bank’s right to debit such excess amounts paid to an account holder.
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Pedestrians suffer as encroachments galore in city
Amritsar, March 10
A senior citizen, Naresh Johar, who commutes on foot between his house and office, said it seemed that the authorities concerned had failed to realise the importance of footpaths. With a steep rise in the number of vehicles, the authorities are simply demolishing the footpaths to widen the busy roads. The footpaths on either side of the Rego bridge have been lying closed for the past 10 years, as the bridge had outlived its life. Footpaths on both sides of the Bhandari bridge have been turned into roads for two-wheelers and rickshaws, while the newly constructed ramps on the sides of the bridge, leading to Ram Bagh, are so narrow that these do not have a provision for the passage of people to walk up and down. To add to the trouble, hoardings have been installed at places on footpaths. The same can be found at the Income Tax intersection, Bhandari Bridge, Four S Chowk and many other places. The footpath along the boundary wall of the Ram Bagh garden is intact, while its opposite side is completely gobbled up by shopkeepers. Similarly, encroachments can be found on the road around the walled city, Puttlighar Chowk, Queen's Road, Cooper Road, Hall Gate, inside the Sikandari gate. Municipal Corporation Commissioner Bhupinder Singh said the importance of the footpaths in streamlining traffic could not be ruled out and it would be taken prominently in the under-process Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) for the city.
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Doctor shows the art of veiled whistle blowing by dwelling on organ trade
Jalandhar, March 10 While an outsider - attempting to point out the rot setting in the medical profession - would have been in for threats or ridicule, the fact that the novel was penned by a respected cardiologist who happens to be a Padmashree awardee, only added more weight and substance to it. Clearly, he has mastered the art of veiled whistle blowing. The author of the book and famed cardiologist Dr Harbhajan Singh Rissam, who was in the city today to inaugurate the Annual Update of the Physicians’ Forum of Jalandhar, talked to The Tribune on his journey so far, his plans ahead and what he thinks must be done to weed out the trouble that is responsible for the degeneration in the medical profession. Dr Rissam, director, Clinical Cardiac Sciences and Senior Interventional Cardiologist at the Max Heart and Vascular Institute, New Delhi and Member of the Board of Governors of the Medical Council of India, has been a lover of books and poetry since his childhood. Well versed in Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu, his father’s keen interest in reading gave him early exposure to Charles Dickens, Leo Tolstoy, Irving Wallace who became a cherished part of his world. When the neighbourhood kids flew kites and played cricket, he read. A brilliant student all through, early on he was penning articles for journals for both college magazines and later for medical journals. While he began practice in Government Medical College, Srinagar, concerns stemming from the unrest in the valley made him move to Delhi in 1990. Having observed keenly the various aspects (good and bad) of his profession, he began work on "The Scalpel" during a three-month-long sabbatical in Paris in the chilly winter months in the year 2006. When the book was finally released at the Cardiological Society of India’s Annual Conference at Kolkata, he had politely asked then CM Budhadeb Bhattacharya to "just read the first four pages" and he still sticks to the stand, “the book will take you further", he says. As one pops the inevitable but much-asked question, wasn’t he scared? His reply is “Na koi mujhe dara sakta hai, na koi mujhe khareed sakta hai.” (Neither can anyone scare me, nor can they buy me).” “When the novel was being written, my daughter used to express serious apprehensions about what outcome it might bring. Even my safety was being feared for. But after the novel, my faith in my community and in goodness is reaffirmed. I have noticed that people indulging in hideous practices are a miniscule minority and the majority are honest. Evil-doers have begun to be ostracised by the medical fraternity at large. While the novel is a fictionalised account, it nevertheless hints at grave wrongdoings. I have noticed there are some people who now do not look me in the eye. Doctors come to me and say "things which we could never bring to our lips - are brought out for everyone to read, by you.’ I feel that’s my biggest compliment,” says Dr Rissam. When asked whether the novel had brought visible reforms, i.e. has it scared people enough to give up such practices, he replies, “I have reason to believe so. It has created fears is some people’s minds to the extent that such practices have been stopped by some. I am helped by that fact that everyone knows I have no personal axe to grind.” When asked as a member of the MCI board of governors, what reforms are being planned in the country, he says, “Falling standards of medical education are foremost on our mind. Everyone is aware that crores of rupees have been exchanging hands for getting permissions for recognitions. But our plans are to discourage under-equipped colleges lacking in quality. Institutions which provide quality education to students will be supported.” When questioned about the degeneration setting in the state, in this regard, he says, “The same goes for the state. Under-equipped, incompetent institutes are high on our agenda.” Speaking on the cancellation of the licences of incompetent doctors, he says, “As many as 27 licences were recently suspended and 100 more are up for review and are likely to be suspended soon.” Speaking on his future plans about the much-anticipated sequels of the novels, Dr Singh said he planned to work on a trilogy and readers must brace themselves for some more action in the near future. While he has been approached by many Bollywood production houses keen on making a movie of it, Dr Singh has been strongly guarding the novel on that count. “Let’s just say I’m a father and the scalpel is my pretty daughter and suitors have been asking for her hand in marriage. I’m guarding my girl selfishly and will only give her away when the right man comes,” says Dr Rissam displaying his characteristic wit which has won him much popularity. On a serious note, he says, “I would want the novel to be made into a film by a person who understands its spirit. I do not want someone who’s just looking for commercial gains. I am waiting for the right offer.” While the popularity of the first novel still soars, Dr Rissam says it might be a while before the sequel, said to be about the PGI, Chandigarh, happens.
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Mercury heads north
Amritsar, March 10 Vendors are selling coconut water, lemonade, buttermilk as the temperatures rises. As it is important to keep yourself hydrated, have more of liquids and be fresh all day this summer. “The sun drains you out in the afternoon and it is really difficult to maintain the energy level when one has to run around. Liquids are like a life support during summers,” says Kavita Kapoor, a resident. Café’s in the city are packed, thanks to the heat wave. Keeping sweat at bay, the favourites include iced drinks and yogurt smoothies.Yoghurt is a very important summer food as it is a great way to stay cool in summer. Stocks of buttermilk are important to ease off in summers. The sale of summer-special veggies and fruits have gone up. Melons, berries and salads have become a common sight at grocery shops. “Water-filled vegetables and citrus fruits are is not only a great way to beat the scorching heat but it offers low calories. Use cucumbers and other leafy vegetables with high water content to prepare a fresh vegetable or fruit salad,” says Sonia Gandhi, a nutrition and diet expert from the city. And of course there is ice cream to beat the heat. Popsicle, kulfi or ‘gola’ are all enjoying the welcome as summers are here to stay.
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Students plead for martyr’s cause
Amritsar, March 10 The eight organisations who have formed the front are Sarab Bharat Naujwan Sabha, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Naujwan Sabha, Janwadi Naujwan Sabha, Naujwan Bharat Sabha, Punjab Student Union, Student Federation of India, Punjab Student Federation, All Indian students Federation Punjab and Democratic youth Federation. Pargat Singh Jamarai, former general secretary, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Naujwan Sabha, said the forum would organised five conventions at various places in the state and first of these convention would be held at the Jallianwala Bagh on April 8. "The forums has also decided to intensify the movement for making ancestral house of great martyr Madan Lal Dhingra into a national memorial," said Dalwinder Singh Pannu of the Democratic Youth Federation.
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Amritsar, March 10 Peetar Gill was arrested with 1 kg charas while Tarlochan, Suman and Harwinder were nabbed with 100 gm intoxicant powder and capsules of habit forming drugs. Separate cases under relevant sections of the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act has been registered against them. — TNS
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Students get placements
Amritsar, March 10 Principal, Khalsa College, Dr Daljit Singh said it was their endeavour to provide professional teaching and ensure jobs for students through frequent campus recruitment programmes to ensure a sound future.
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Thieves target Anganwari centre in village
Amritsar, March 10 In the latest instance, some unidentified miscreants entered the premises of an anganwari centre at Chamiari village late last evening. They entered the premises by breaking the lock and took away 25 kg of wheat, 20 kg of sugar, 18 kg of rice and 5 kg of milk meant for midday meal besides a fan. Jasbir Singh, the investigating officer, said a complaint had been lodged under Sections 457 (criminal trespass) and 380 (theft) of Indian Penal Code (IPC).
— TNS
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Bar Council likely to join strike today
Amritsar, March 10 The Amritsar Bar Association had earlier this week observed two ‘no work days’ to support the strike by the Punjab Bar Council to protest against registration of cases against advocates in Chandigarh. The sources within the local bar association said though a resolution has yet not been passed being a holiday today, it would go with the Bar Council of India’s call for strike on Monday.
— TNS
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Even as the state government has taken up the issue to lift the Army’s objection against raising hotels and commercial complexes at the Amritsar Cantonment area, citizen bodies, NGOs and environmental activists are pitching in for maintaining its “non-commercial look”.
Three years ago, "The Scalpel Game Beneath", a racy medical thriller, laid bare the secrets of the hideous organ trade mafia in the country through a fictionalised account which travelled across continents.
It was the first such account by a practising doctor in India. While an outsider - attempting to point out the rot setting in the medical profession - would have been in for threats or ridicule, the fact that the novel was penned by a respected cardiologist who happens to be a Padmashree
awardee, only added more weight and substance to it.
